PWE – Chapter 6 Breaking Free

That formation could block outside sounds from coming in, and also prevent inside sounds from getting out.

So no matter how much Xu Meifeng and her family screamed, no one outside could hear them.

After saying this, Xiao Wange once again swung the pole at their stomachs.
“Go on, have a good taste of what it feels like to be beaten in the belly! Remember this feeling well!”

“Xiao Wange… slut, you slut! May you die a horrible death, may you never rest in peace!” Xu Meifeng cursed through clenched teeth, her eyes full of vicious hatred.

Zhan Hongxin also shouted angrily:
“Xiao Wange, sooner or later I’ll carve you up! I’ll kill you one day, you wretched woman!”

But as soon as she finished cursing, her beating became even harsher. Blow after blow landed on her stomach, the pain bringing tears and snot streaming down her face.

Seeing that crying for help was truly useless, Zhan Songbai thought the neighbors must all be sleeping like the dead. He secretly cursed them as pigs for being so oblivious, and then shouted at Xiao Wange:
“I’m still your elder no matter what—how dare you beat your elder like this! You’d better watch out, or Heaven will strike you down with thunder!”

Xiao Wange sneered:
“You? My elder? You think you’re even worthy of that title?” She paused, then added coldly:
“And if we’re talking about Heaven’s wrath—if anyone’s going to be struck by thunder, it should be you!”

Zhan Songbai carried karmic debts on his life as well. He and Xu Meifeng truly were a perfect match—both utterly depraved!

After beating them for a while, Xiao Wange felt tired and withdrew her hand.
“That’s enough for today. Another time, when I feel like it, I’ll come back and continue.”

Xu Meifeng and the others: “……”

That damned slut—she actually planned to come back and beat them again? Did she really think they were so easy to bully?

Xiao Wange tossed the pole to the ground and turned toward another room.
“You stole more than a hundred yuan from my house, and two hens as well. Shouldn’t you return those things?”

Xu Meifeng glared at her, baring her teeth in defiance:
“Who stole from you? Don’t you dare frame us! If you lost something yourself, don’t try to pin it on us!”

Xiao Wange sneered, too lazy to argue with Xu Meifeng’s shameless denial, and walked straight into the room, heading for the bed.

Seeing her go in, Xu Meifeng panicked and shouted:
“Xiao Wange, get out of there! Get out of my room!”

She tried to get up and stop her, but the pain in her body was too much—she simply couldn’t move.

The same went for Zhan Hongda and Zhan Songbai.

Xu Meifeng was both shocked that Xiao Wange knew which room she and her husband slept in, and at the same time silently prayed that her money wouldn’t be found. She still needed that money to buy treats for her eldest grandson, and to save for her third son’s marriage. She couldn’t let Xiao Wange take it!

But…

Less than two minutes later, Xiao Wange walked out holding 210 yuan.

She raised the money in her hand and said:
“The two hens converted to cash, plus what you stole from my house—altogether, 210 yuan. I’ll just take this much, not a cent more.”

Seeing the 210 yuan in her hand made Xu Meifeng feel as if her very flesh was being carved away.

She cried out, eyes nearly bursting with rage:
“Give it back! Slut, give me back my money! That’s my money—you can’t take it! Slut, return it to me!”

Xiao Wange looked down at her from above with disdain.
“Your money? This is mine. Hah! You call it yours? You, Zhan Songbai, and Zhan Hongda are all lazy good-for-nothings. Your daughter-in-law and daughter are the same. The only income in your family is from your second son’s odd jobs outside, and that money is meant to support your youngest son in high school. Your family should be struggling, so how could you possibly have this much money? Even if you claim it’s yours, wouldn’t others find it suspicious?”

This left Xu Meifeng choking for words, unable to respond.

Meanwhile, little Zhan Xiaoxiao, clutching his sore butt, glared at Xiao Wange hatefully. Suddenly, he picked up the pair of scissors from the ground and lunged at her:
“Slut, you stole my family’s money! You’re a bad person! You’re just like Zhan Jinzhao, both of you filthy mutts! You’re both disgusting mutts!”

Out of the corner of her eye, Xiao Wange caught sight of the scissors coming at her. Her eyes sharpened—her hand shot out like lightning, snatching the scissors away.

With a sharp clang, she tossed them to the floor, then shoved Zhan Xiaoxiao back.
“As expected, just a little delinquent. I can already see your future—you’ll end up in prison, doing hard labor!”

Zhan Xiaoxiao fell to the ground with a “thump.”

His already sore backside slammed against the floor again, and the pain brought tears streaming down his face.
“Filthy mutt! Xiao Wange, you filthy mutt! You’re the one who’ll go to prison! You’ll rot in jail someday!”

Xiao Wange just smiled, her eyes full of mockery.

She strode out of the main room swiftly.

She hadn’t lied—Zhan Xiaoxiao’s future really was to be a criminal, a major offender at that.

…

Behind her, Xu Meifeng and Zhan Hongda’s curses rang out, but Xiao Wange paid them no more mind.

She had already gotten the money. Her goal tonight was achieved. Now she could sleep peacefully.

When she returned home and saw little Jinzhao sleeping soundly on the bed, she smiled softly, kissed his forehead, and slipped out of her clothes to lie down.

The boy turned in his sleep, murmuring faintly:
“Mom…”

His soft little voice melted her heart completely.

She pulled him into her arms, kissed his forehead again, and whispered:
“Good boy. Go back to sleep.”

He was such a sweet child, and she loved him with all her heart. For his sake, she would fight to earn money. She would give him the best life. She would never again let him taste the suffering of poverty.

Her gaze drifted toward the bed canopy as she thought. Tomorrow, she planned to take him to town to buy two sets of clothes and some food.

And while she was there, she’d look for opportunities to make money.

If nothing turned up in town, then she’d have to try the county.

…

The next day, at first light, Xiao Wange took Zhaozhao and set out. When they reached town, it was only 8:30.

She bought him some steamed buns, and after breakfast, they headed to the supply and marketing cooperative.

Inside, she bought him two jackets and two thick cotton trousers. She also got him a pair of fleece-lined leather shoes.

She had him put on the new shoes right there, since his old pair was so worn out that his big toe stuck through.

The moment he put on the new shoes, his whole face lit up with joy.

He clenched his little fists happily and stared down at his feet.

But after a few seconds, he suddenly looked up at her and said:
“Mom, these shoes and clothes are so expensive. I don’t want to use such costly things. Why don’t we just buy something cheaper? Just one jacket and one pair of trousers will be enough.”

He knew his mom didn’t have much money. How could she afford all these nice things?

Xiao Wange smiled, stroked his head, and said:
“Mommy loves buying nice clothes for our Zhaozhao. You look so handsome in them.”

“But Mom…” Little Jinzhao’s lips trembled, sadness in his voice.
“But we… we don’t have any money…”

The shop assistant overheard and immediately frowned. What were they doing in here if they had no money? That pair of shoes had already been tried on—who knew if the boy had athlete’s foot!

But before the assistant could speak, Xiao Wange said calmly:
“I have money, don’t worry.” She asked the prices, then took out the cash from her pocket.

Seeing that she really had the money, the assistant swallowed her words. But her attitude didn’t soften; she still looked at Xiao Wange with arrogance and disdain. Clearly, she saw their shabby clothes and pegged them as poor villagers.

Xiao Wange couldn’t be bothered with her attitude. From the woman’s face, she could tell that misfortune would soon fall on her anyway. Normally, one might feel pity for such a person—but pity was not something she could muster for someone like this.

Still, buying Zhaozhao’s things had cost over 130 yuan in one go. Money really did flow like water.

Her determination to make money grew even stronger. But in this little town, where could she find such opportunities?

Just then, a young woman of about twenty walked in.

When Xiao Wange saw her, her lips curved into a smile.

Opportunity had arrived.

The young woman walked over to the salesgirl and said:
“Xiaokui…”

The salesgirl Xiaokui looked at her in surprise.
“Jinzhu, your complexion looks worse and worse! Don’t tell me that problem at your house still hasn’t been resolved?”

Shi Jinzhu shook her head and sighed.
“No… not yet.” She paused.
“But my aunt went to the neighboring city to invite a master. They say he’s very skilled. Maybe he’ll be able to help us resolve our troubles.”

The salesgirl frowned.
“Don’t let it be another swindler like before.”

Hearing this, Shi Jinzhu sighed again. She didn’t want another fraud either. She truly hoped this time the master was the real deal.

“Comrade, your family is in trouble, isn’t it?” Xiao Wange glanced at Shi Jinzhu and smiled at her.

Shi Jinzhu frowned and turned toward the voice.

When she saw Xiao Wange, her brows furrowed even tighter, and her tone turned cool:
“What is it?”

She didn’t like discussing her family’s troubles with strangers—especially nosy ones.

“Your family’s problem is tricky, but I can help you solve it.” Xiao Wange smiled warmly, her words deliberate.

Before Shi Jinzhu could reply, the salesgirl jumped in.

She sneered at Xiao Wange.
“You? Solve it? Hah! You’re just a peasant woman—stop talking big. Do you even know what kind of problem it is? If you did, you’d be scared witless, not bragging about fixing it!”

She shot Xiao Wange another look of contempt. Where had this country bumpkin come from, to boast like that?

Xiao Wange cast her a chilly glance.
“I never boast. If I say I can solve it, then I certainly can.” She paused, then added:
“Why don’t we make a bet?”